Static fuse testing machine



April 1943. M. SEKELLA 2,316,134

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April 6, 1943- M. SEKELLA 2,315,134

STATIC FUSE TESTING MACHINE Filed July 1, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g 25 II I I 0'" H 1 L; l E n I Inn Lam/8 1 Patented Apr. 6, 1943 STATIC FUSE TESTING MACHINE.

Michael Sekella, Elmira Heights, N. Y., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application July 1, 1941, Serial No. 4%,707

Claims. (01. 73-52) The present invention relates to a static fuse testing machine and more particularly to an improved mounting means for the fuse and automatic controlling means for the drive gear thereof.

In machines for preliminarily testing and adjusting the operation of the timing mechanism of a fuse for explosiv projectiles, it is customary to mount the fuse in a holder, operate the timing mechanism by means of a drive gear which applies a constant torque thereto, and then adjust the timing device to synchronism with a standard chronometric device. The fuse is usually placed by the operator in a releasable clamping fixture with the gear of the timing mechanism meshed with thedrive gear, and the application of torque through the drive gear is then initiated by the operator by releasing a locking device for the drive gear. The manipulation of this lock is a secondary operation which is customarily controlled by a treadle, and if the operator should inadvertently release the look before the fuse is properly seated with the gears meshed, severe milling of the gears may take place.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel static fuse testing machine which is efli'cient and reliable in operation and simple and economical in construction.

It is another object to provide such a device which comprises a fuse holding fixture and provisions for insuring proper mesh of the drive gear when a fuse is mounted in the fixture.

It is another object to provide such a device in which the clamping means for the fuse is arranged to automatically operate a locking means for the drive gear.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly broken away and in section of a testing machine embodying a preferred form-of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail in elevation looking from the right in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation partly broken away and in section looking from the left in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the device.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is illustrated a frame I in which is journalled at 2 and 3 a drive shaft 4 adapted to be rotated through a coupling member 5 fixed thereon in a suitable way. It will be understood that the clutch member 5 is rotated by a mating clutch member from any suitable source of constant torque, and since the driving means forms no part of the present invention, further illustration thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Vertical shaft 6 is journalled in the frame I as indicated at l and 8, and is arranged to be driven from the shaft 4 bymeans of bevel gears 9 and H.

The frame I is provided with a plate 12 which acts as a retainer for the bearing 8 of shaft 6, and which has a flat upper surface on which the fuse I3 to be tested is arranged to seat. Means for positioning the fuse on its seat is provided in the form of a plurality of dowel pins I4 rigid- 1y mounted in the plate l2 and extending upward into openings in the fuse so arranged as to properly position the fuse.

A driving gear I5 is fixed in any suitable manner on the upper end of th shaft '6 in position to engage a pinion [6 in the fuse #3, said pinion being the driving member of the timing mechanism for the use to be tested.

Means for holding the fuse on its seat is provided in the form of a clamping member I? hinged at 18 to the frame I and carrying a plurality of spring-pressed plungers l9, El, and 22 (Fig. 4) adapted to bear on the upper surface of the fuse I3 and press it on its seat when the clamping'member is in lowered position as illustrated. Releasable means for holding the clamping member in operative position is provided in the form of a swinging latch member 23 pivoted at 2 1 to the frame I and having an arcuate slot 25 (Fig. 3) adapted to receive the end of a pin 26 extending outwardly from the clamping member 11. Handle 21 is provided on the latch member 23 for convenient manipulation thereof.

According to the present invention means are provided for normally holding the drive shaft 4 against rotation which means is automatically released when the fuse is properly clamped in position to be tested. As here shown this means comprises a peripherally toothed member 28 suitably fixed on the drive shaft 4, and a locking plunger 29 slidably mounted in a cylindrical guide 3| fixed as indicated at 32 on frame I and having a sharp point 33 at its lower end adapted to engage the toothed member 28 and prevent its rotation.

Means normally urging the plunger 29 into locking position is provided in the form of a spring 30 in the guide 3| exerting pressure on an adjustable nut 34 threaded on the lower end of the plunger.

Means for raising the plunger 293 out of locking position when the fuse is seated is provided in the form of a lever 35 formed on the end of the clamping member I! and yieldably connected to raise the plunger when the clamping member is in operative position. For this purpose the upper part of the plunger 29 is formed as a hollow cylinder 39 in which is slidably mounted a piston member 36 which is yieldably connected to the plunger 29 by means of a spring 31 and adjustable plug 38. The cylindrical portion 39 of plunger 29 is slotted as shown at 4| in order to admit the rounded head 42 of the lever 35 which head extends within the cylinder 39 in position to engage beneath the end of the piston member 36 and apply upward pressure thereto to raise the plunger 29 when the clamping member. I! is lowered.

When the device is not in use, the spring 39 holds the plunger 29 with its point 33 in engagement with the toothed member 28, and the clamping member I! is tilted upwardly by the pressure of the piston member 36 on the end of the lever 35. When it is desired to operate the fuse tester, a fuse is placed on the plate l2 in the proper position to cause its pinion I6 to mesh with the driving gear l5, which position is determined by the dowels M. The clamping mem ber i7 is then swung down, causing the spring plungers 19, 2|, 22 to apply pressure to the top of the fuse to hold it in position, after which the latch 23 is engaged with the pin 26 to lock the fuse in place. The final downward movement of the clamping member I! causes the plunger 29 to be raised out of locking position as illustrated in Fig. 1, whereupon torque is applied through the drive gearing to the timing mechanism of the fuse which timing mechanism may then be adjusted in the usual manner by means of screw drivers 43 and 44 journalled in the frame I in position to engage the adjusting mechanism of the fuse.

When the fuse has been adjusted, release of the latch 23 permits the clamping member Ill to rise to idle position, while the plunger 29 is simultaneously moved into locking position by the spring 33.

If during the positioning of the fuse on its seat, a tooth of the pinion l6 should abut against a tooth of the gear I so as to prevent the fuse from being properly seated, the spring-pressed plungers l9, 2!, 22 will yield sufficiently to permit the clamping member I! to move to operative position thus releasing the locking plunger 29. When this occurs, initial movement of the gear will index its teeth into proper registry with the tooth spaces of the pinion l6, and the pressure of the spring-pressed plungers will immediately complete the meshing movement of the pinion with the gear. for the gear 5 to rotate against the pinion [l6 while partly meshed thierewith, which: would cause destructive milling action thereof. This It is thus impossible arrangement also provides that the driving mechanism will not be released until the fuse pinion is either properly meshed with the driving gear or else is being pressed against the drive gear in such manner as to secure proper mesh instantly upon initial rotation thereof, and the drive mechanism is again locked against rotation before the fuse is released from its seat.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail it will be understood that other embodiments are possible and various changes may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a test machine for time fuses a fixture for holding the fuse, rotatable driving means in the fixture for the fuse timing mechanism, clamping means for holding the fuse in the fixture, a detent for locking the driving means, yielding means normally holding the detent in locking position and means for releasing the locking detent actuated by movement of the clamping means to position to immobilize the fuse.

2. In a testing machine for time fuses, driving means, a fixture having a seat for receiving a fuse with its timing mechanism connected to be actuated by the driving means, and means for releasably clamping the fuse in the fixture including members adapted to press the fuse into its seat, said members being arranged to yield in case of initial failure of proper engagement of the driving means, and to snap the engaging members into proper driving relation upon initial rotation of the driving means.

3. In a test stand for time fuses a fixture. having a seat for holding a fuse, driving means in the fixture including a gear adapted to engage a pinion of the fuse timing mechanism, releasable pressure means for holding the fuse in its seat, said pressure means including members adapted to yield in case of tooth abutment between said gear and pinion, and to snap the pinion into engagement upon initial rotation of the drive gear.

4. A test stand for time fuses as set forth in claim 3 which includes further a lock for the driving means, and releasing means for the lock actuated by movement of the pressure means to force the fuse into its seat.

5. In a test stand for time fuses, driving means including a source of constant torque, a gear and a toothed detent member driven thereby, a fixture for holding a fuse including means for positioning the fuse to cause the driving gear to engage and actuate the fuse timing mechanism, a lock for the driving means including a springpressed plunger normally engaging the detent wheel, a hinged pressure member for releasably holding the fuse in the fixture, and means actuated by the pressure member for withdrawing the plunger from looking position.

MICHAEL SEKELLA. 

